Why is it that Modern Christians celebrate a Holiday that was condemned by the Early Christians? Jesus could not have been born on the 25th as it would go agaist Luke 2:8. Also Christmas was evolved from Pagan Holidays (saturnalia and others). Knowing this, how is it right to teach kids false stories? How can Christians be trusted if their MAIN holiday revolves around lies?
2006-08-01 03:34:17 · 23 answers · asked by Akwat'k Ink 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Christmas was incorporated into Christianity to attract more converts the same as Easter and Halloween. Christianity was basically a converting machine. So they incorporated things and marketed the religion to as wide a group as possible. Look at the Gospels each is targeting a different group. It is the Microsoft of religions. A combination of marketing and crushing the competition
2006-08-01 03:43:20 · answer #1 · answered by Quantrill 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wonderful question!
As a Pagan, I find it incredibly funny when I see Christian putting up a Christmas tree (aka Yule tree).
I have a shirt that has a person wearing monk robes, holding in one hand a censer, and the other is pulling along a wagon with a Christmas tree, an Easter bunny with painted eggs, a statue of a woman, and a chalice. Above this picture is says: For a religion so opposed to Paganism, you sure stole a lot of our stuff.
The reason Jesus birth is celebrated on December 25th is because that's when the Pagan god, Mithras, was born. Constantine took this opportunity to over-ride Paganism with Jesus' birth. It was a political move so it would be easier to convert everyone into one religion. To Constantine, it wasn't about religion, he probably never thought twice about Christianity, he simply wanted control.
2006-08-01 03:48:50 · answer #2 · answered by Joa5 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are MANY Holidays adopted by the early church to appease/connect the people of the area to the church.
Christmas is the biggest 1. Easter is closer to being right because it is based on a Jewish Calendar.
I don't think the exact date is that much of a problem, only that we(Christians) celebrate it at all. I think the way most people celebrate Christmas it is still a pagan holiday. Very little thought is on Christ.
2006-08-01 03:51:00 · answer #3 · answered by Celtic Tejas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its taken generations to develop & use the brain, todays news for ex, is broadcast while it is happening, in the old days things were not so simple, it took stories to explain a theme like christmas to children & since during winter, when people were stuck at home, it was story telling time & so the stories of christmas etc, today children too grow out of santas by the age of 6 or 7, knowing its just a person under the clothes, so really its more of a white lie to educate than a lie to mislead, & yes Christ was born during the summer months, so go ahead u can trust mature Christians, the religion is fine as it has just 2 basic commandments , love God & love thy neighbour as thyself
2006-08-01 04:21:33 · answer #4 · answered by dereckdsouza 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, and Halloween is based on a pagan holiday celebrating all things evil. Would you really do away with all things that started pagan hundreds of years ago? These are harmless and fun holidays now. In the case of Christmas, it inspires people everywhere to do good in the spirit of Christ's birth. Would you REALLY have the world change the date of Christmas to the spring sometime JUST to be accurate and to stay away of a pagan tradition that the majority don't even know exists, let alone are practicing?
Use your passion to fight the TRUELLY evil things in this world, we could use you!
2006-08-01 04:05:54 · answer #5 · answered by gardengirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nobody ever said that Jesus was actually born on December 25th, only that we choose that day to celebrate his birth. And yes, many of the customs were adopted from other religious celebrations, but that's because Christians come from many traditions and religions, and brought their customs with them. Also, Chrismas is not the MAIN Christian holiday. Easter is the most important holiday, the one that defines Christianity.
2006-08-01 03:43:26 · answer #6 · answered by Karen J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
good question-my boyfriend an i frequent this question as he is a sabbatarian and a non-christmas celebrator, anyways, here's what I have to say-first we need to teach children that Jesus most likely was not born on this day, however, we use this day as an observance. The story of his birth is included in the gospels and therefore should in some way, shape or form be remembered (i'm not saying you have to set a special day aside for this). I also agree that originially this day is tied to a Pagan holy day-however my argument is (1) God created everyday, therefore it was originally His to begin with, and (2) I see Christmas as (figuratively) meat dedicated to idols-the early Gentile Christians in Acts were told to refrain from eating food "polluted" by idols (Acts 15:20, 29; 21:25) but later in I Corinthians 10:25-26 says we are to eat any meat-because the earth is the LORD's and everything in it. However in many places such as Corinthians and Romans, we are warned not to do anything that would cause a brother to stumble. At this time many Gentiles were turning from their pagan ways and giving up their old life-and everything associated with it, therefore seeing someone eat meat that had been given to idols could cause them to stumble OR could cause them (with a guilty conscience) to eat the meat. I suppose that's how I feel about Christmas, however, by this time I know no one who has worshipped Saturnalia, nor knows anything about that god. My family is very deliberate in it's celebration of christmas as setting aside this day to remember the birth of our LORD. We realize it is NOT required nor do we recieve favor with God by doing so. But we also do not see it as a sin.
2006-08-01 05:03:23 · answer #7 · answered by hmmclever 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was a teacher in my church I taught the kids that Christmas is not Jesus's birthday, but is a day we set aside for Him. But honestly even that has gotten out of hand. So many folks go in debt just to buy gifts, and people are more depressed that time of year than any other time. I dont buy gifts other than for my husband and I decorate my house just cause I think its pretty. Jesus should be celebrated everyday.
2006-08-01 03:41:25 · answer #8 · answered by iwant_u2_wantme2000 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christmas is to celebrate the BIRTH of CHRIST. Even if it is not the right date I still remember what the holiday is for.
Overall you might be right considering that all holidays have something to overtake the real meaning. Santa, Easter bunny, Leprecauns, ect.
I follow the LORD so even if it's wrong it's intentions were good.
2006-08-01 03:46:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nice flame.
I teach the kids the truth.
Jesus wasn't born on Dec 25th and that elements of the celebration are wrought with paganism...but that is when we observe His birth.
2006-08-01 03:44:18 · answer #10 · answered by NickofTyme 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋